Constellation | Origin and Facts | Astronomy Facts | Universe | Facty Universe

Constellation credit- Astronomy Trek

Before knowing more about Constellation, we would first like to know about what does the word Constellation means and from where it is derived?

Constellation 

The word Constellation comes from Latin term cōnstellātiō which means a 'set of stars'. The Constellation means the group of visible stars which forms a particular pattern which may be the shape of an animal, a person, object. The origin of the Constellation is from the ancient times when people used to relate them with their beliefs, myths, creation. some people used to relate to their culture. the shape of the Constellation changes after a long time later. In 1922, International Astronomical Union (IAU) accepted the total of '88' Constellation, these include 48 ancient Greek Constellation. These all constellations are not visible at a time from a particular point but can be viewed as their particular schedule.

Some facts about constellation

• These constellations were firstly used by the farmers to know when it was right time to plant or harvest.
• These constellations have been around from centuries as around as 4000 B.C.
• Some of these constellations are categorized according to their location in the sky, 21 of them are Northern constellations.
• There are 15 Southern constellations.
• Astrology also has own set of 12 Zodiacal constellations.
• Not everyone can see all the constellations as it depends on where are in the world, and also the season play a role in the constellations to be seen.
• The largest constellation is ‘Hydra’, which covers up about 3.16% of the sky.

                          

 Hydra Constellation credit- seasky

• The smallest constellation is ‘Crux’, which covers up about 0.17% of the sky.

Crux Constellation credit-seasky

•  From these constellations name of 22 constellations start with C.